How much does childcare cost in London?
London-wide averages for every type of childcare, plus a borough-by-borough breakdown so you can see what people actually pay near you.
Rates last refreshed 10 August 2026
London averages
| Type of care | London | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Babysitter | £14.49/hr | £12.85/hr |
| Nanny (live-out) | £16.33/hr | £15.21/hr |
| School pickups | £10 to £15/hr | £8 to £12/hr |
| After-school care | £127/wk | £81/wk |
| Childminder | £8.64/hr | £6.59/hr |
| Nursery (day rate) | £84.30/day | £68.40/day |
| Live-in nanny | £500 to £900/wk | N/A |
| Overnight nanny | £180 to £350/night | N/A |
| Maternity nurse | £220 to £400/24hrs | N/A |
| Au pair | £90 to £180/wk | £85 to £150/wk |
| Mother's helper | £7 to £11/hr | N/A |
Childcare costs by borough
Tap a borough for its full breakdown, including school pickups and after-school care.
Central London
North London
East London
West London
South West London
Common questions
How much does childcare cost in London?
London rates run above the UK average across every type of care. Central boroughs are typically 10 to 20% more expensive than outer London, with babysitters and live-out nannies showing the widest spread.
Which London boroughs have the cheapest childcare?
Outer boroughs such as Havering, Bexley, Barking and Dagenham and Croydon usually sit at the lower end, while Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden and Islington sit at the top.
Why do nanny rates vary so much between boroughs?
Cost of living, travel time and local demand. A nanny travelling into a central borough factors in both a higher cost of living and a longer commute, so hourly rates follow.
Are these London rates before or after tax?
They're gross advertised rates. For a nanny you employ directly you may also be responsible for employer's National Insurance and pension contributions on top.
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Sources & methodology
Figures are midpoints of current advertised rates for each type of childcare, compiled from published UK childcare rate surveys and advertised London rates, then grouped by borough, zone or London-wide depending on how granular the underlying data is. Each figure is labelled with the level it comes from, so nothing here implies more precision than the data supports. Rates exclude any agency fees, KidSitter charges no booking fee or commission. Last refreshed 10 August 2026.